Alvin Garcia
John Heyman’s recent article for New York Sports Plus (which I had to sign up for a free trial to read) paints a dramatic picture of the Dodgers as an overwhelming force that MLB needs to rein in. While I respect Heyman’s work, his take here misses the mark. The Dodgers aren’t ruining baseball—they’re elevating it. MLB doesn’t need to “stop” the Dodgers from pursuing talents like Roki Sasaki or Juan Soto. It must embrace a competitive landscape where every team can compete at the highest level by following LA’s innovative, sustainable team-building blueprint.
Heyman’s argument hinges on the idea that the Dodgers are already “too good” and that adding Soto or Sasaki would make them unstoppable. But let’s break this down: The Dodgers didn’t stumble into their success. They built it through shrewd moves, strong player development, and strategic spending (mostly deferrals, the running joke for other fans). Yes, they have deep pockets, but they have used their resources wisely.
Let’s not forget the injury-riddled 2024 season Heyman himself mentioned. The Dodgers overcame immense adversity to win the World Series—without their top pitchers and with a patchwork rotation. That’s not dominance; that’s resilience. Signing Blake Snell wasn’t about stacking the deck but addressing a clear need.
If other teams want to compete, the solution isn’t to point fingers at LA—it’s to adopt their approach: develop young talent, spend intelligently, and build a winning culture.
Heyman argues that MLB “needs” to keep Sasaki and Soto away from the Dodgers, suggesting it would make the league unfair. But wasn’t Shohei Ohtani’s arrival in LA celebrated last year? Adding players like Sasaki and Soto isn’t just good for the Dodgers and the sport.
Roki Sasaki is a generational talent, and if he chooses LA, it’s because they offer him stability, a chance to win, and a platform to thrive. The same goes for Soto. MLB should want its brightest stars on its most prominent stages, and few organizations offer that spotlight like the Dodgers do.
Personally, I don’t think the Dodgers should go after Soto. Their lineup is already stacked, and their resources could be better spent on pitching depth or extensions for key players. But if they do pursue Soto, it’s hardly an issue. Adding another elite bat doesn’t guarantee success—just ask the Padres. The Dodgers will still need to put it all together on the field, as they always do.
The Dodgers aren’t “buying” these players—they’re attracting them with their culture and commitment to excellence. That’s a standard every franchise should aspire to, not something to criticize.
Heyman paints a picture of the Dodgers as financial bullies, leveraging deferred contracts and deep pockets to crush competition. But let’s not pretend money is the only factor here. Plenty of high-spending teams haven’t sniffed the success the Dodgers have achieved.
Teams like the Padres, Mets, and Yankees have spent big in recent years, yet their results pale in comparison. Why? Because money alone doesn’t win championships. The Dodgers’ success comes from balancing spending with player development, analytics, and leadership. If Soto or Sasaki sign with LA, it will be because they see those qualities—not just dollar signs.
The narrative that the Dodgers are bad for baseball is tired. Instead, let’s acknowledge the truth: They’ve set the standard for what a modern MLB franchise can and should be. By combining star power with homegrown talent and elite management, the Dodgers are a model of excellence.
MLB shouldn’t be rooting against the Dodgers; it should encourage every franchise to compete at their level. Let them sign Sasaki. Let them pursue Soto. And let the rest of the league rise to meet the challenge.
If the Dodgers win again, it won’t be because they “bought” a title. It will be because they earned it—and that’s exactly what baseball needs.
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